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Everywhere you look, there are pumpkin spice lattes, leather boots, and a colorful pageant of vibrant leaves. It must be fall.

For travel nurses, the fall season also means a special holiday, Travel Nurses Day, is near. Created by Medical Solutions, Travel Nurses Day celebrates the hardworking spirit of travel nurses everywhere. This Friday, October 13th is your chance to treat yourself and celebrate your travel nursing career.

Over at Medical Solutions, they’ve started the festivities early. Starting today, you can play games, enter contests, listen to music, and win PRIZES all week long!

Here’s the delightful lineup for Travel Nurses’ Day 2017:

Contests and Games

A #NurseLaughLove Photo Contest on Instagram

Quizzes such as, “Where Should I Travel Next?” and “What’s Your Ultimate Source of Bliss?”

Two sets of fantastically fun Photofinds

Two sets of terrifically tremendous Travel Libs

A Find Your Bliss Playlist to keep you rocking through your special day

Don’t miss out on all the discounts, games, and freebies for nurses! Nurses Week is May 6th – 12th!

Nurses Week is almost here! To help travel nurses everywhere celebrate in style, Travel Nursing Central’s has the following rundown of 2017 Nurses Week prizes, freebies, and discounts:

Medical Solutions is throwing a party for all nurses at WeLoveOurNurses.com. You can join in the festivities by checking out C. Young’s “So Much Love in the Scrubs” music video tribute, take the “What Kind of Party Are You?” quiz for a chance to win fun prizes, and share free Nurses Week eCards with your fellow nurses. Medical Solutions is also giving away some amazing party favors, like 30 $50 Amazon gift cards, Five Amazon Tap Bluetooth Speakers, three Apple iPad Mini 2s, and more! Nursing students are also encouraged to enter the 6th Annual Nurses of Tomorrow Scholarship Contest, which awards three $2,000 scholarships to future nurses.

This year, rejuvenate your passion for nursing with The American Nurses Association’s free webinar on wellness and burnout prevention. The online class is on May 10th.

Fusion Medical is celebrating Nurses Week with daily giveaways on its Facebook page, and a #scrubselfie contest on Instagram and Twiiter. Contest participants have the chance to win a $500 Visa gift card.

Cinnabon is showing their appreciation for nurses with a delicious and well-deserved free treat. During Nurses Week, simply present your medical ID badge at a participating Cinnabon, and you’ll receive your choice of a free Classic Roll, a MiniBon or a four-count of BonBites.

Lippincott’s will once again offer a variety of daily deals, giveaways, and discounts during Nurses Week as well.

Did we miss any Nurses Week activities or events out there? Let us know in the comments below. In the meantime, Happy Nurses Week to all you hardworking nurses!

Jump-start your fitness goals for 2017 with these apps for the travel nurse!

January is all about New Years’ resolutions. If you’re like most of us, somewhere on your list of resolutions for 2017 is getting back into shape. Heck, maybe you’re one of the lucky few who actually kept this resolution last year, and now you want to maintain your fitness level.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, it can be hard to keep your workout schedule when you’re a travel nurse. To help you reach your fitness goals while you’re racking up those travel miles, TNC has the top 5 fitness apps for the travel nurse below:

MapMyRun: You’re new in town — again — and you have no idea where the best jogging routes are. With MapMyRun, you’ll never be at a loss. From hiking trails to city streets, this cool app can help you find where all the cool kids are running these days. When you find a route you love, you can save it or share it with an online community of more than 40 million members. Plus, MapMyRun will send you tips on how to improve your workout so you can reach your running aspirations.

7-Minute Workout Challenge: This popular high-intensity circuit workout app can really benefit the busy travel nurse. You can do the challenge anywhere. All you need is a wall, a chair, and hypothetically 7 minutes of your time. You can repeat the workout to maximize your results, so 7 minutes could turn into 21 minutes if you’re going for the gold.

The workout includes a series of 12 bodyweight training exercises like squats or push-ups. Each move should be performed for roughly 30 seconds with a 10 second rest in between. Get ready to sweat, because the “high-intensity” part of this routine is no joke.

Dailyburn: If you like the idea of a personal trainer in the comfort of your own home, then DailyBurn could be your new fitness obsession. Dailyburn is an online streaming video program that allows you to pick from a variety of exercise routines led by several fitness experts. Fans of Dailyburn like the diversity of workout options. However, unlike some others on this list, Dailyburn is subscription based.

Sworkit:This fitness app has been likened to Spotify, but instead of song playlists, you can create a playlist of workout routines. The app allows you to choose from a variety of fitness programs or build your own. Plus, you can tell the app how long you want to work out for, so you can time it to your favorite TV show or podcast.

MyFitnessPal: This free app tracks your food intake and workouts to help you make better lifestyle choices. It’s a digital diet and exercise diary meets calorie counter. The best part? The app has a database of more than 5 million different food items, so it’s easy to track your intake no matter what you eat.

These top 5 fitness apps for the travel nurse make keeping your New Years’ resolutions easier than ever before!

What are some of your favorite workout routines when you’re on the road? Tell us in the comments section below!

With the holidays almost here, it’s time to deck those halls! As travel nurses everywhere know, decorating in a temporary home can sometimes mean wishing for a Christmas miracle. Never fear! With these 5 holiday decorating tips for the travel nurse, you’ll be able to make your home feel merry and bright without the help of Santa’s elves.

You can make a big statement in a small space with these holiday decor ideas!

Invest in temporary wall hooks: These little gems make holiday decorating a breeze, especially for the travel nurse on the go! Hang these hooksanywhere — they’re easy to install and they won’t mess up your walls come January 1st. Plus, they are perfect for Christmas stockings or wreathes! Which brings us to our next point…

Purchase an evergreen wreath: Don’t have the space for a tree? No problem! Use a real pine wreath for instant holiday style. They’ll make your apartment smell like a Christmas tree without the mess. What’s not to love about that??

Add sparkle with twinkle lights: Create a winter wonderland in just minutes. White or colored lights hung from your ceiling or draped gracefully over doorways can add a touch of glamour to tiny spaces.

Hang ornaments from bookshelves: Who needs a tree to decorate when you have a bookshelf? Dress up your ordinary furniture with ribbons and glittering glass balls for full effect. Those wall hooks we mentioned earlier might come in handy here. Extra tip: you can hide the hooks if you stick them on the top of your furniture.

Add a holiday throw pillow: If DYI really isn’t your thing, you can simply spruce up for your living room couch with fun, holiday throw pillows. No fuss, no muss. We told you it was easy! Need a few ideas? Click here!

Thanks to these 5 holiday decorating tips for the travel nurse, you’ll be ready for the season in no time!

Any decorating tips that we missed? Let us know how you adorn your apartment for the holidays in the comments below!

Do you love ghost stories, or traveling to haunted places? If you’re a travel nurse with a penchant for the supernatural, you’re in for a treat! Halloween is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to visit one of these 7 spectacularly spooky places during your travel nurse adventures.

The Stanley Hotel has had a long history with ghosts. Flora Stanley, the hotel’s original owner, is said to haunt the ballroom and play her piano at night.

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO: This famous hotel is best known as the inspiration behind The Shinning. Built in 1909, the hotel first gained its ghostly reputation after a chambermaid was electrocuted in Room 217. Guests, including Stephen King, have reported strange happenings, such as belongings being unpacked, lights turning off and on, and hearing children laughing in vacant halls. Staff members and guests alike have also heard piano music playing in the empty ballroom. You can sign up for the Stanley’s day or evening tours here.

The Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas: This beautiful Victorian hotel was once a spa for wealthy urbanites seeking a cure from the nearby springs. After modern medicine debunked the springs’ healing properties, the once bustling hotel closed its doors. The site is now said to be haunted by long-ago guests who checked in, but never left. Sort of like that Eagles’ song “Hotel California.”

Whaley House, San Diego: The Whaley House has been many things during its long life. Most notably, the site was once San Diego’s first public gallows. It now operates as a museum, and uses its spooky status to its advantage. If you visit, you just might run into the ghost of “Yankee Jim” Robinson. He was a convicted thief who died there by hanging four years before businessman Thomas Whaley built the house in 1856. However, that didn’t stop the city from converting the mansion later into San Diego’s first commercial theater, courthouse, and general store.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, WV: Built in the 1880s to serve the mentally ill, this now abandoned facility is reportedly one of the most haunted places in America. If you visit this grim place, you’ll be grateful you were never a patient during its heyday. Treatments ranged from electroshock therapy to lobotomies. Daytime and eveningtoursare available for those seeking a brush with the paranormal.

Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, Fall River, MA: Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. She was later acquitted of the infamous crime, but the murders were never solved. The mystery surrounding the murders still brings visitors to the home today, which now operates as a bed and breakfast. According to this attraction’s website, you can sleep in the very rooms where the crimes took place, host a séance, or search for spirits on a ghost tour.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, KY: This famously haunted hospital is sure to scare even the most skeptical travel nurse. Waverly Hills once served as a tuberculosis sanatorium, where thousands of patients succumbed to the dreadful disease or the painful attempts at a cure. According to legend, one nurse committed suicide in Room 502. Today, several ghost hunters and visitors have claimed to experience unexplained phenomenon, like suddenly feeling cold, hearing slamming doors, and seeing ghostly apparitions walk across hallways. Want to visit? Click here to plan your trip!

Villisca Ax Murder House, Villisca, IA: If you’ve ever visited southwest Iowa, you may have heard about the Villisca Axe Murder House. More than a century ago, eight people were brutally murdered there with — yep, you guessed it — an axe. The crime was never solved, and visitors now claim the victims’ ghosts can be seen hanging around the house.

Wherever you decide to celebrate, Travel Nursing Central wishes you a happy and healthy Halloween!

Switching to the night shift can be a rough transition if you’re not prepared. Follow these tips to stay happy and healthy during your assignment!

By Haley Thomann

Fusion Medical Staffing, LLC

So you are about to embark on a new journey and a new contract. The pay is great. The location is perfect. The only thing holding back your full proclamation of excitement? You are going to be working nights — for the first time!

According to fellow travel nurses, here are the top 9 tips for adapting to the night shift:

Block schedule: This seems obvious, but make sure you ask about your schedule. It can be very tough to transition back and forth between day and night when your shifts are separated throughout the week. Use that last night shift of the week to have a shorter sleep, it will help you adjust to daytime hours when you are off.

Invest in room darkening curtains: This tip was unanimous when it came to our night shift warriors — even if you don’t work nights, these things are AMAZING! Toss in some ear plugs and a sleep mask if you are really sensitive.

Request top floor apartment living: Since most people are working “normal” hours and have the weekends off, they aren’t usually considerate of the person sleeping below them. Make sure to request the top floor whenever possible for a little more peace and quiet.

Start your day with breakfast: Some prefer to wake up at 5 p.m. and have dinner, but this is your new morning. Start it with breakfast! Regardless of what you eat when you wake up or before you go to sleep, make sure it is not something super heavy!

Stay healthy: From eating healthy to getting exercise, these things will help your body stay functioning through the change and long hours. Consider meal prepping and packing a healthy lunch to keep yourself from grabbing junk food on your way home to crash for the night. (well, day.) Sleepless = bad cravings.

Avoid caffeine: Yeah, we know, it sounds crazy! Why wouldn’t you slam a bunch of coffee and energy drinks to make it through? All that caffeine will start to take a toll on your body, so instead, STAY HYDRATED! It will help you in so many ways. Some travel nurses also suggest if you are going to have that caffeine, cut it off at 3 a.m.!

Get some outside time every day: Soak up that Vitamin D! It certainly can’t hurt. If that still doesn’t feel like enough, invest in a nice sun lamp!

Laugh and smile daily: Seems like weird advice? Night shifters typically have less social interaction, which can create issues with communication and the smoothness of a shift. Make sure to interact and bond with your coworkers. It will give you that little boost!

Consider how you are getting home: Some of our travelers have had a bit of a commute when heading home after working nights. If you are too tired, DO NOT DRIVE HOME! Call a friend or take a little nap. Another tip from several of our night shift pros — wear DARK sunglasses when you head home in the daylight. That light can trigger your body to stay alert and awake, which will keep you up when you are trying to wind down.

Most importantly, listen to your body. It is a good idea to take a break from night shifts if you have been going at it for a long period of time. You know your own body, so take the best care of you that you can. Don’t be afraid to ask your coworkers what helps them out too!

Haley Thomann has been with Fusion Medical Staffing for just over 3 years, managing all its social media and content. She absolutely loves her side of the job because she gets to interact with amazing travelers, help potential travelers find the answers they need, and represent the Fusion brand. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, Dylan Olivia. For more travel resources from Haley, check out Fusion’s blog at http://blog.fusionmedstaff.com/ or connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hwenthe.

Travel nurses everywhere have an extra special reason to say “Happy Fall Y’all!”

That’s because Travel Nurses Day is just around the corner! On Friday, October 14th, you’re invited to celebrate your career as a travel nurse. This year’s theme, “My Travel Nurse Shoes” will have you kicking up your heels in no time!

Created by Medical Solutions in 2013, the first Travel Nurses Day began as a simple way to show appreciation for all the hard work travel nurses do every single day. Now, in its fourth year, this annual celebration promises to be filled with even more games, contests, and quizzes for travel nurses, including:

A #MyTravelNurseShoes Instagram Contest

Quizzes — “What kind of shoe are you?”, “Where should you travel next?”, and “Is travel nursing in your future?”

Travel Libs

Photo Finds

Plus, you’ll have plenty of chances to win some amazing prizes, including:

A Fitbit Blaze

Shiatsu Back Massager

$130 Alegria gift card

$120 Dansko gift card

$75 Inkkas gift card

Dickies scrub sets

Artifact tote bags

JBL Clip+ Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

You can visit TravelNursesDay.com anytime starting Oct. 7th to midnight Oct. 16th. Prize winners will be announced the following week.

Whether you’re on a mountain top or in the middle of your shift, you can do these quick stretches anywhere!

You spend most of your day caring for patients, and that can be a full body workout. After a long 12-hour shift, the last thing you probably want to do is go to the gym. And while we certainly don’t blame you, your personal fitness shouldn’t always take a back seat. With just a few minutes each day, you can actually help prevent potential injuries and increase your endurance when you practice these 4 simple stretches for the travel nurse:

Cat and Camel Stretch: This easy to learn stretch can help relieve lower back pain and help strengthen your spinal cord. According to WebMD, a static Cat and Camel stretch can be done using the following steps:

Lace your fingers together and turn your palms to face outward in front of you.

Reach your arms as far as you can, curving your back and shoulders forward.

Raise your arms as high as you can behind your back without releasing your hands so your chest opens and your shoulders roll back.

Lying Bed Stretch: According to nursing blog Scrubs.com, the lying bed stretch can help reduce back and neck pain. And the best part? As its name implies, you don’t have to leave your bed for this one!

Simply lie back on your bed.

Raise both arms over your head, so that your elbows face the ceiling and your hands dangle over the edge of the bed.

Hold for 15 seconds, then slowly bring your hands back to your side.

Repeat one to two times as needed.

Half Dog at the Wall: This modified yoga pose is also great for the busy travel nurse. All you need is a wall and a few seconds of free time. Doyouyoga.comsuggests this stretch to help relieve stress and boost your energy level:

Stand facing a wall, about a leg’s length apart.

Place your hands on the wall roughly at shoulder height.

Press your hands against the wall, and bend your knees a bit and slowly walk your feet away from the wall.

Keeping your hips positioned over your feet, gradually walk out until your arms are straight and form a long line with your torso and belly.

Supine Pelvic Tilt: This classic exercise routine works well for those of you who suffer from low back pain. So basically, all nurses everywhere, right? This stretch can take a bit more time, but it’s worth the effort! The American Council on Exercise recommends you follow these steps:

Lie back on a mat or the floor with your knees bent, your feet flat on the ground, and your arms at your sides in a “T” position.

As you exhale, use your abdominal muscles to press your low back into the floor. Be careful to not lift your hips. Hold this position for a short time.

Next, slowly inhale and slant your pelvis in the opposite direction. This should create an arch between your low back and the floor. Again, make sure to keep your hips and tailbone on the ground. Hold this position briefly, then return to your starting position.

Rest a few seconds between each set. Depending on the amount of time you have, you can do 2-3 sets at a time.

As a travel nurse, you’re constantly on the move, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with constant back pain and stress. These quick stretches can help you let go of stress, relieve your tired and sore muscles, and help prevent personal injuries on the job.

The U.S. National Park Service celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, so it’s the perfect time for travel nurses to explore some of America’s natural wonders. Take a break from your busy travel nurse schedule and discover the majesty of the Grand Canyon or reconnect with nature at Yosemite. Need some inspiration to help you get started? National Geographic has listed the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks, and we think the first five parks on their list are fantastic for fall:

Straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee border, the Great Smoky Mountain range is part of an international biosphere reserve and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee: Experience the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as its beautiful landscapes explode into vibrant fall color. With more than 800 miles of hiking trails and auto tours, you can explore the nation’s most popular park on foot or by car. Avoid the summer crowds and visit during the fall season so you can appreciate on your own the natural fog that often hangs over this mountain range.

Take a guided river trip on the Colorado River as it winds through the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: With its breathtaking views, numerous hiking trails, and whitewater rafting tours, the Grand Canyon should be on every travel nurse’s bucket list. According to National Geographic, even from the best vantage point, you’ll only be able to see a fraction of the canyon’s 277 miles. No matter your view though, this mile-deep geologic wonder will be sure to leave you inspired. Sunrise and sunset tours are especially popular.

Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park could be your next climbing adventure.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: If you enjoy a challenging mountain climbing experience, look no further than Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of Colorado’s “Fourteeners”, Longs Peak offers those who reach its summit commanding views of the region. If you’re not quite ready for Longs Peak, you can still go camping or mountain biking. Nearby towns like Estes Park also provide tourists with fun dining and shopping experiences.

Step away from the concrete jungle and enjoy the bright, jewel-toned colors of fall at Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park, California: After visiting Yosemite, you’ll know why explorer and naturalist John Muir felt inspired to write, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.” Nature lovers won’t be disappointed here. Just as John Muir did generations ago, you can stand in awe of Yosemite’s massive sequoias, soak up the impressive view at Glacier Point, and discover the park’s world-famous waterfalls.

Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring, shown here, is one of the largest natural hot springs in the world.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone remains the crown jewel of the U.S. National Park Service. Established in 1872, Yellowstone has long captured the imaginations of travelers worldwide, and it’s not hard to understand why. Visitors can watch Old Faithful erupt, spot wildlife in the Lamar Valley, and take in the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest spring in the U.S.

Want to learn more about which national park you should explore next? Click here to see National Geographic’s complete list of the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks.

This Labor Day weekend, relax and catch up on all your favorite travel nurse blogs!

As a travel nurse, you know it’s sometimes difficult to find the time to stay current on your favorite blogs. So, in honor of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Travel Nursing Central took on the task of finding this week’s 5 must-read travel nurse blog posts for you. Grab a cup of coffee, relax, and start reading as you celebrate Labor Day!

10 Things A Nurse Wants To Hear… Never, Nurse Buff: Nurse Buff takes a humorous look at the daily joys of being a nurse. Be prepared to laugh as you read — this post is full of funny phrases you’ll be all too familiar with.

Online Safety Tips, The Gypsy Nurse: This blog is filled with great content for the travel nurse, and its latest article is no exception. It’s always a good idea to refresh yourself on good online safety habits, especially since most travel nurses rely on the internet while on the road.

Dear Nurses, Love Z Dogg MD, TravelNursingBlogs.com: TravelNursingBlogs.com has a reputation as a fun and informative resource for travel nurses. The blog’s most current post, a music video by Z Dogg MD, is a tribute to all nurses. With Labor Day just around the corner, it’s also touchingly appropriate. Watch it! We guarantee it will make you smile!

The Top 11 Travel Nursing Companies, Blue Pipes: This popular travel nursing blog has graciously listed the top 11 travel nurse companies. The best part? The Blue Pipes team based these rankings on traveler reviews across social media platforms, so it’s an excellent way to find a company that provides great service.

The 25 Best Nursing Jobs, TopRNtoBSN.com: Are you a nursing student and not sure yet what kind of nurse you want to be? Or maybe you’re a veteran nurse in need of a change? Then, look no further than this TopRNtoBSN.com’s article. Travel nurses won’t be surprised to find that their profession is recognized on the list!